Soldiers who are over the screening weight for their height are taped to estimate body fat, and those above the maximum allowable percentage for their age are enrolled in the Army Body Composition Program. Army Directive 2023-11 replaced the old neck-and-waist tape test with a single abdominal measurement combined with body weight, which predicts body fat more accurately and takes less time.
Since September 2025, soldiers who score 465 or more on the Army Fitness Test are exempt from the body fat standard. The older multi-site equations are kept here for comparison and for anyone checking a past assessment.
How to use the Army Body Fat Calculator
- Tape test method
- Sex
- Age
- Body weight
- Abdomen (at the navel)
- Height
- Neck circumference
- Waist circumference
- Hip circumference (women)
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Choose the method. For the one-site test, enter body weight and the abdominal circumference measured at the navel; for the multi-site test, enter height, neck, waist and, for women, hips. The calculator applies the Army equation, rounds to a whole percent as AR 600-9 does, and compares the result with the maximum for your age and sex.
Maximum allowable body fat (AR 600-9)
| Age | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| 17–20 | 20% | 30% |
| 21–27 | 22% | 32% |
| 28–39 | 24% | 34% |
| 40 and over | 26% | 36% |
Tips
- Practise each event with the official standards and equipment before test day.
- Have a trained person take tape measurements – technique matters more than the tape.
- Check the current regulation; standards and score charts are updated regularly.
- Pace your run: an even pace beats a fast start and a slow finish.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using an out-of-date score chart.
- Measuring the waist at the wrong landmark for your sex.
- Rounding measurements the wrong way – most regulations round down to the nearest half inch.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Tape test method | Choose one: One-site: abdomen and weight (current), Multi-site: neck and waist (before 2024) |
| Sex | Choose one: Male, Female |
| Age | In years |
| Body weight | Units: kg, lb, st, g |
| Abdomen (at the navel) | Units: cm, in, m, ft, mm |
| Height | Units: cm, in, m, ft, mm |
| Neck circumference | Units: cm, in, m, ft, mm |
| Waist circumference | Units: cm, in, m, ft, mm |
| Hip circumference (women) | Units: cm, in, m, ft, mm |
Health note: this calculator is for education and screening only and is not a diagnosis or treatment advice. Discuss your results with a qualified clinician.
Formula
One-site (current): men %BF = −26.97 − 0.12 × weight (lb) + 1.99 × abdomen (in)
women %BF = −9.15 − 0.015 × weight (lb) + 1.27 × abdomen (in)
Multi-site (before 2024): men 86.010 × log₁₀(waist − neck) − 70.041 × log₁₀(height) + 36.76; women 163.205 × log₁₀(waist + hip − neck) − 97.684 × log₁₀(height) − 78.387 (inches)
Worked example
Inputs — Tape test method: One-site: abdomen and weight (current); Sex: Male; Age: 25 years; Body weight: 80 kg; Abdomen (at the navel): 86 cm.
Results — Body fat = 19 %; Maximum allowed (AR 600-9) = 22 %; Margin to the maximum = 3 %; Result = Within the standard.
Key terms
- ABCP
- Army Body Composition Program.
- One-site tape test
- Body fat estimate from abdominal circumference and weight (Army Directive 2023-11).
- AFT
- Army Fitness Test, which replaced the ACFT in June 2025.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Army body fat standard?
20–26% for men and 30–36% for women, depending on age (AR 600-9).
What is the one-site tape test?
Since Army Directive 2023-11, body fat is estimated from a single abdominal circumference at the navel plus body weight, replacing the neck, waist and hip measurements.
Who has to be taped?
Soldiers who exceed the screening weight for their height. Soldiers who score 465 or more on the Army Fitness Test are exempt from the body fat standard.
How is the abdomen measured?
Horizontally at the level of the navel, at the end of a normal breath out, without compressing the skin; the measurement is taken three times and averaged to the nearest half inch.
What if I fail the tape test?
You can ask for a supplemental assessment such as DEXA, bioelectrical impedance or air-displacement plethysmography where it is reasonably available.
Is the tape test accurate?
It typically falls within about 3–4 percentage points of laboratory methods, which is why a supplemental test can be requested.